Sustainable Agriculture Education and Training Directory

Introduction

This online directory of academic and training programs in sustainable, alternative, and organic agriculture serves to insure the public's knowledge of and access to the most current information on today's educational opportunities in the United States. It identifies undergraduate and graduate programs, university research programs, research and demonstration farms, student organic or sustainable farms, and related training programs and opportunities.

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) at the National Agricultural Library has published the Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture directory in print, and under similar titles, on a regular basis since December 1988.

We select the institutions in this directory based on their curricula or programs offering curricula, degrees, education and training, or information in organic, alternative, or sustainable agriculture. Inclusion of an institution does not imply a recommendation by the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) at the National Agricultural Library.

We invite and appreciate comments or corrections, and names of institutions or organizations not listed here. Please contact Becky Thompson to suggest an academic degree or program or to provide updates to our records.

We acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the EDTR Web production team.

Other Resources

These information sources and organizations provide directories, reports or other information on available educational opportunities, research, internships, and apprenticeships related to sustainable or organic agriculture:

Organic Farming Research Foundation. Santa Cruz, CA. 2012.
The 2012 Organic Land Grant Assessment, a national assessment of research, education and outreach programs in the federally funded Land Grant system, ranked the level of organic activity at each institution. Criteria included: certified organic research land; offering a degree (major/minor) or certificate in organic agriculture; providing Extension resources on organic agriculture; operating a student organic or sustainable farm: and other criteria.

Riddle, Jim. The Ceres Trust. April 2013.
This report lists key contacts and identifies organic research, extension activities and education at universities in twelve states within the North Central SARE region. It offers details "about student organic farms, certified organic research land and animals, sources of organic research funding, dissemination of organic research results through field days and peer-reviewed journals, organic education efforts of nonprofit organizations and other relevant information." Also included are degree programs, academic courses, and hands-on learning programs.

The USDA New Farmers website is designed to help new and prospective farmers find information about how to get started and offers a step-by-step guide for those who are thinking about starting a farm. Use the Discovery Tool to find USDA programs based on information about you, your location and your planned or new farming operation.
Web: https://newfarmers.usda.gov/

USDA Pathways Program

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers different pathway opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in the agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, management, business and many other fields. USDA offers internships to students and recent graduates to help them to excel in their chosen fields."
Web: https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=pathways&parentnav=CAREERS

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